| Brazil is South America’s most influential country, an economic powerhouse, and one of the world’s largest democracies. It is beset by a tremendous gap between the rich, who control the vast majority of economic resources, and the poor, many of whom live in slums.The IPIB has over 95,000 members. Its activities include integral mission (health, education, and evangelization), social work, and social projects (such as environmental work in the Amazon region). The denomination has two centers for the training of missionaries and three seminaries.
While on a study trip to Northern Ireland during the “Troubles,” David was hosted by a family of sheep farmers. David writes, “I spent many late nights up with Pearl and ‘Uel, talking about the Troubles, farming, the United States, the Bible, and many other things. I was struck by—and have never forgotten—the depth of our conversations and the connections we were able to make. My teacher at Columbia Presbyterian Seminary had taught their pastor whose preaching had shaped their faith for the previous ten years or so. When they spoke I listened with alternating recognition and surprise, and with constant amazement, to see what I had learned in the classroom profoundly and faithfully contextualized by this family. This was the moment that I came to understand what before I had only confessed: ‘I believe in the holy catholic church, the communion of saints.’”
In reflecting on their faith journey over the last ten years of David’s graduate work, Leigh writes, “I assumed everything would fall into place. Instead, it has been very difficult, and we have had to deal with many no’s, many unanswered job applications, and a hard and lonely journey. My experiences in life thus far—whether it be walking through difficulties with friends or family, hearing people’s stories, or studying the Bible—have taught me that this is often when our Christian faith grows. The things that make us feel safe and secure—our money, our possessions, our status, our jobs—can stand in place of the God in whom we should put our every bit of trust. God who has brought us this far will sustain us and bless the days ahead.”
David has been employed by Duke University for the last six years while working on his Ph.D. Leigh worked as a crew member for Trader Joe’s.
David earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and his Master of Divinity from Columbia Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. He was awarded his Ph.D. in religion and Old Testament studies in the spring of 2009 from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Leigh holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois.
David and Leigh are members of First Presbyterian Church of Durham, North Carolina. They are the parents of four children.
Birthdays:
David: September 13
Leigh: September 24
Peter: October 28, 1998
Harrison: August 25, 2000
Lily: August 25, 2000
David: March 14, 2005 |
